How to stop and enjoy the world around you? Try birdwatching

Wellness with Cindy

“Alert! Alert!” several of them chirped as others gathered in groups to discuss the intruder. The bird cacophony was directed at the uninvited guest that sat perched on the telephone pole. Ignoring the smaller birds, the hawk proceeded to survey the area from his lofty perch.

Living in an urban area, I had only seen hawks in the distance during drives in the country. Quickly grabbing my binoculars, I zoomed in on the haughty bird. The hawk appeared oblivious to the squawking sparrows and after a few minutes gracefully glided away.

While I had my binoculars out, I watched a butterfly drift from one bright orange flower to another. Forced to focus through the eyepiece, I noticed details generally missed in a casual glance, the crisp decorative edges of the flower and the detailed pattern on the wings of the butterfly.

In this fast paced world, take time to stop and experience nature. Bird or butterfly watching is a simple and relaxing hobby. You can take along a notebook for jotting down where you walked and what birds or butterflies you watched through your binoculars.

Reasons bird/butterfly watching is part of a healthy lifestyle include:

Fun way to exercise with a stroll around your community.

A hobby you can do from home if you have health issues.

Focusing on nature helps your brain and body relax.

Increase your social contacts, ask a friend to watch with you.

To identify birds or butterflies just type “how to identify birds” or “how to identify butterflies” in an Internet search engine. Your local library is also a great resource for a variety of nature books.

Whether you sit in your backyard or stroll through a local park, listen to the conversations of the birds, follow the path of the butterfly. Learn to truly “hear” and “see” the world around you.

Cindy

Cindy Sue Blair is an OASIS Facilitator for Exerstart, Active Start and Active Living Every Day classes and a certified ACE Group Fitness Instructor. She is also a Culinary Instructor and Event Volunteer for Operation Food Search. Other posts by Cindy

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Cindy Sue Blair is an OASIS Facilitator for Exerstart, Active Start and Active Living Every Day classes and a certified ACE Group Fitness Instructor. She is also a Culinary Instructor and Event Volunteer for Operation Food Search. She believes tasty, healthy food and fun exercise are keys to the good life. Her journey from couch potato to healthy living advocate unleashed her passion for fitness, nutrition, and personal growth. Stop by www.facebook.com/WellnessWithCindy and say hi!